MLS Picks & Predictions

Our Major League Soccer betting guide will prepare you to bet on the league that's growing at a rapid pace. We’ll take a look at the MLS Championship odds, reveal our futures tips and provide some effective pointers to help develop your betting strategy.

MLS 2025 Season Picks and Betting Tips

The MLS is the largest soccer league in the USA, with the regular season running from February to October and the postseason culminating in December.

The 2025 MLS season features 29 teams, 26 from the US and three from Canada, who compete in Eastern and Western conferences during the regular season. 18 teams will progress to the MLS Cup Playoffs, with the final two eventually contesting the MLS Cup championship game.

The teams ranked seventh and eighth in each conference progress to a wildcard round to determine which will join the top seven teams in the first round of the playoffs.

Round one is a best-of-three series but all subsequent rounds are single-game knockouts until, eventually, the two conference champions meet in the MLS Cup final, to determine the overall winners.

The conference and postseason format is far closer to other major US sports, such as football and basketball, than other global leagues which crown a champion based on the league standings alone and have separate knockout cup competitions.

MLS sides are subject to a salary cap in order to promote financial health but are allowed a finite number of exemptions due to the Designation Player Rule, which allows each side to recruit a limited number of players on a higher salary. This rule has become notorious in recent seasons for allowing MLS clubs to recruit some of the biggest players on the planet.

The 2025 MLS season will feature a range of global stars, including eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Marco Reus, Christian Benteke, Lorenzo Insigne, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Riqui Puig, Xherdan Shaquiri, Thiago Almada, Douglas Costa and more.

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2025 MLS Cup Odds: Who will win the MLS Cup?

Familiar names occupy the top of the 2025 MLS Cup odds at FanDuel, BetMGM, and the other major sportsbooks. The Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami, defending champion LA Galaxy, and highly talented LAFC are among the favorites. 

New York Red Bulls, runners-up in 2024 are expected to contend, as are FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, and Atlanta United.

Galaxy won the MLS Cup for a 10th time last season. While they have a talented squad capable of beating any team in the league, they are battling against history. Only three teams have gone back-to-back, and no side has managed to do it in 13 years. There is a degree of randomness baked into the playoff format which makes it very difficult for a team to go all the way in successive seasons.

LAFC have made six finals in three years under Steve Cherundolo. Their big-game performances leave plenty to be desired, though, with only one win in normal time in those six matches. Olivier Giroud wasn’t particularly impressive last season, yet this team remains arguably the most talented in Major League Soccer.

It goes without saying that Inter Miami are going to be backed by a lot of soccer bettors. The star power of Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba is unmatched. Injuries are a real worry for such an elderly core, however, and there is a degree of uncertainty surrounding Javier Mascherano as head coach. 

Our 2025 MLS Cup Prediction: LAFC victory.

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2025 MLS Cup: Odds on the Favorites to take the cup

• Inter Miami CF +330
• Los Angeles FC +750
• Vancouver Whitecaps +1200
• Columbus Crew +1500
• LA Galaxy +1600
• New York City FC +1600
• FC Cincinnati +1800
• Seattle Sounders +1900
• New York Red Bulls +2100
• San Diego FC +2400
• Orlando City +2400
• Minnesota Utd +2400
• Philadelphia Union +2400
• Atlanta +3000
• Real Salt Lake +3100
• St. Louis City +3100
• Nashville Soccer Club +3200
• Colorado Rapids +4200
• Austin FC +4200
• Houston Dynamo +4600
• DC United +5000
• Charlotte FC +5000
• Chicago Fire +5000
• Sporting Kansas +6000
• Portland Timbers +6000
• San Jose Earthquakes +6000
• FC Dallas +7500
• New England +9500
• Toronto FC +10000
• CF Montreal +10000

Odds from fanduel.com

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2025 MLS Western Conference Prediction

El Tráfico rivals LAFC and LA Galaxy are the clear favorites to represent the Western Conference in the MLS Cup final this season. Both teams reached the Western Conference semi-finals last season and LAFC have played in the MLS Cup final in the last three seasons.

Seattle Sounders look like the other main challenger. Seattle reached the Conference Final last season and the Conference semi-finals in 2023. They have represented the west in the MLS Cup final four times since 2016 and have made some exciting additions in Paul Arriola and Jesús Ferreira, who scored 53 MLS goals for FC Dallas. 

Major turnover in LAFC’s midfield -- Eduard Atuesta, Ilie Sanchez, Lewis O’Brien, and Mateusz Bogusz left in the offseason – could create some instability. Galaxy are looking for solutions in the first half of the season with Riqui Puig not expected to return until August.

Houston Dynamo, owners of MLS’ clearest identity with their love of possession, have waved goodbye to Coco Carrasquilla and Héctor Herrera. FC Dallas lost Ferreria and key creator Alan Velasco. Real Salt Lake had an excellent regular season before a disappointing playoff exit. 

The Western Conference feels like it’s wide open. There’s value to be found for bettors. 

Our Pick for the 2025 MLS Western Conference Champs: LAFC

MLS Western Conference Odds

• Los Angeles FC +350
• LA Galaxy +750
• Vancouver Whitecaps +440
• Seattle Sounders +900
• Minnesota Utd +1000
• San Diego FC +1200
• Austin FC +1500
• St. Louis City +1500
• Real Salt Lake +1500
• Houston Dynamo +2600
• San Jose Earthquakes +2700
• Portland Timbers +2700
• Colorado Rapids +2100
• FC Dallas +3500
• Sporting KC +4000

Odds from fanduel.com

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2025 MLS Eastern Conference Prediction

It’s a clearer picture in the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami, despite a round one loss to Atlanta United in 2024, are the heavy favorites to reach the MLS Cup final. The appeal of Messi and co. is undeniable, yet sports bettors should exercise some caution in this market. 

Inter Miami were only mediocre by expected goal difference last season. Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls, and FC Cincinnati were the three conference leaders in that category, with the Red Bulls coming good in the playoffs to make up for an underwhelming regular season. The signing of Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting brings vital experience in the final third for the Red Bulls.

Orlando City took a hit by selling Facundo Torres for a club-record fee in the offseason. The Floridian club might take a step back in 2025. 

The Chicago Fire – trying to wrestle their way out of an arduous rebuild – are upwardly mobile in 2025. Led by Gregg Berhalter, the Fire have revamped their roster with the signings of Jonathan Bamba, Jack Elliott, Leonardo Barroso, Philip Zinckernagel, and Rominigue Kouamé. They might have been a non-factor last season, but they’re a team to keep an eye on after a proactive winter in the Windy City. 

After eliminating Inter Miami last season, Atlanta United look an excellent value bet to reach the MLS Cup final in 2025. Emmanuel Latte Lath and Miguel Almirón have arrived from Middlesbrough and Newcastle, respectively, with the latter named an All-Star in his previous two MLS campaigns for The Five Stripes. 

Our 2025 MLS Eastern Conference Prediction: Atlanta United.

MLS Eastern Conference Odds

• Inter Miami CF +150
• Columbus Crew +750
• Toronto FC +7500
• New York City FC +1000
• Philadelphia Union +1000
• FC Cincinnati +1000
• New York Red Bulls +1100
• Orlando City +1500
• Atlanta +1700
• Nashville Soccer Club +2100
• Charlotte FC +2600
• Chicago Fire +2800
• DC United +3100
• CF Montreal +6000
• New England +6000

Odds from fanduel.com

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2025 MLS Golden Boot 

Messi and Suarez are the favorites to win the MLS Golden Boot. The pair ranked third and eighth, respectively, in expected goals per 90 minutes last season. Availability is the biggest risk when backing either player for this award – Christian Benteke scored three more goals than each of them in 2024 thanks to playing 28.8 90s for DC United. 

Messi played only 16.5 90s. Suarez played 7.5 fewer than Benteke. 

Atlanta United new boy Latte Lath is a great option. The former Boro man has averaged 0.48 expected goals per 90 over the last 365 days and has scored 41 league goals since the start of 2022/23. 

Giroud struggled in his first few months with LAFC. He’s excelled in England and Italy well into his thirties, though, and it’s unlikely he’s suddenly declined. Consistently producing over 0.5 expected goals per 90, look for the Frenchman to score 20+ goals in a highly productive LAFC attack.

Ghana international Joseph Paintsil will also benefit from the creative talent around him. Paintsil’s LA Galaxy led MLS in regular season expected goals last term. Paintsil underachieved his underlying numbers yet still finished with 10 goals in 25.5 90s. The former Genk winner is a fun longshot.

MLS Golden Boot Odds

• Lionel Messi +330
• Christian Benteke +500
• Luis Suarez +850
• Emmanuel Latte Lath +1000
• Tai Baribo +1300
• Denis Bouanga +1600
• Gabriel Pec +1900
• Alonso Martínez +3000

Odds from fanduel.com

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Getting started in sports betting: How does betting on the Major League Soccer work?

As with most American competitions, and in particular the highly reputed NBA, Major League Soccer is played first in the form of a regular season (two conferences), before a playoff at the end of the tournament. The distribution of teams is slightly different between the two conferences, with 15 teams in the Eastern Conference and 14 in the Western Conference.

The Major League Soccer finals are held as follows: the top 7 teams in each conference qualify for the 1st round of the Playoffs. The 8th and 9th-placed teams play a playoff match to reach this stage.

In the 1st round, teams play each other over two legs. In the event of a draw, there is no extra time, but a penalty shoot-out is held to decide the winner. From the conference semi-finals onwards, duels are played over a single match, with the higher-ranked team hosting. In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, extra time is played, followed by a penalty shoot-out if the teams have still not managed to separate at the end of extra time. At the end of the competition, the final between the Eastern and Western Conference champions is held, to crown the US champion team.

At the end of the regular phase, here are the places that matter:

• The top 7 in each conference qualify for the 1st round of the finals.
• The 8th and 9th in each conference play off for a place in the 1st round of the Playoffs.
• No relegation system, so no downgrading to a lower league (closed league)

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MLS Betting Strategies

We’ve given you our MLS season tips for the futures markets and now we’re going to provide you with some key strategies that you can use to make your own picks on each game round. Here is a short list of our top tips for a winning MLS betting strategy:

• Check MLS Injury News
• Compare MLS Teams Form
• Use a Points System to Help Your Staking
• Take Advantage of Bonus Promotions
• Compare MLS Odds
• Do the Research

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Tip 1: Check MLS Injury News

Injuries to key players can hugely influence the chance of a team winning a game. This is especially true in the MLS, where each team has a collection of marquee designated players, such as Messi, who are vital to their hopes of winning. If you can find out and react to key injury news before a sportsbook adjusts their odds, you can beat line changes and land some big prices.

Follow key social media accounts and keep track of media outlets who are reliable for this information. As soon as you become aware that a key player isn’t available, check to see if the odds have already moved, if not then you have an opportunity.

Tip 2: Compare MLS Teams Form

The first point of consideration before placing any soccer wager is to consider the respective form of the teams. Are the favorites on a long winning streak and look unbeatable? Are the underdogs beginning to hit form and could be a value bet to upset the odds?

As well as general form, you can also consider factors such as the respective home or away form of teams and also even their head to head record against each other. All of this information will help to inform your betting.

Tip 3: Use a Points System to Help Your Staking

You might be keen on two separate bets but have much more faith in one than another. Getting used to using a points system to determine your stake on these different scenarios will help you effectively manage your bankroll. A points system lets you rank your bets and work out how much to stake on them accordingly. The more points you allocate to a bet, the larger your stake should be. Generally picks with shorter odds are more likely to win and, therefore, may result in more points being allocated.

You should also record your bets and your points system to help you to self-analyze your record and look for areas of improvement. Don't forget that when you make soccer predictions.

Tip 4: Take Advantage of Bonus Promotions

Most sportsbooks offer free promotions when you join and at various intervals afterwards. These can take many forms including free bets and rebates. Taking advantage of these betting promotions will help you to maximize your profit. There are a couple of different approaches you can take to free bets. The first is simply to use them as intended, to have a risk free wager. If it loses then the promotion has gone but if it wins, your bankroll is increased.

Alternatively you can guarantee a profit with a practice known as hedging. A short summary of hedge betting is to find a two way market, such as total goals, with two relatively closely priced selections. Bet on one side with your free bet and then, at another sportsbook, bet on the opposite selection with a lower stake. This will create a scenario in which, whichever side wins, you guarantee a smaller profit.

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Tip 5: Compare MLS Odds

Different sportsbooks offer contrasting prices on every MLS game and market you can imagine. As such it pays to shop around and make sure that you are claiming the biggest odds available.

Why take +120 on a selection if +140 is available elsewhere? Simply accepting the first price that you see might be convenient but, in the long term, it will definitely cost your bankroll so opening accounts at multiple sportsbooks and taking the biggest odds on offer is a vital long term discipline.

Tip 6: Do the Research

We’ve already touched on form, which can help you tackle moneyline and spread markets, but soccer has a huge selection of alternative betting options, including prop bets, that require research to be successful. In fact, many of these minor markets may give you a better chance to win if you put the effort into researching statistics and trends that the sportsbooks simply don’t have the time to do.

There are a huge number of statistical resources online for the MLS, make sure you use them to try and get an edge in your betting.

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What Not to Do for MLS Picks

To be successful in sports betting, particularly when betting on the MLS, it's important to continue adapting your strategy to better hone your approach. Adapting to the evolving dynamics of the league is key, but avoiding common betting missteps is equally important for sustained success. Here are several mistakes to steer clear of when placing bets on the 2024 MLS season:

• Ignoring the jam-packed MLS schedule, which can feature congested fixtures including mid-week games and cross-country or even cross-continent travel with CONCACAF.
• Placing bets without considering the recent performance and current condition of the teams involved.
• Failing to shop around for the best odds across multiple sportsbooks, potentially missing out on higher gains.
• Placing significant bets on a team without factoring in form, injuries/absences and rivalry matchups.
• Chasing losses by placing bets on teams you're not famililar with.
• Not considering a teams' form at home or away: some teams play significantlly better in front of the home crowd or on the road. Taking this into account might help you pick that upset.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you're giving yourself a leg-up for sure, but it's important to continually refine your betting strategy. Moving beyond merely backing your favorite team or following what the sportsbook lists as the favorite. Arm yourself with the power of knowledge, compare your betting options and place informed bets!

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MLS Facts and Statistics

As we’ve mentioned, improving your MLS knowledge with statistics and facts is a key pathway to betting success.

Here are some stats, facts and figures on the 2024 MLS season which can inform your wagers ahead of the 2025 campaign.

• Games Played: 493
• Total Goals Scored: 1,359
• Average Goals Per Game: 2.76
• Top Goalscorer: Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC)
• Most Assists: Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)
• Goalkeeper With Most Clean Sheets: Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders)
• Longest Unbeaten Streak: 10 Games (FC Cincinnati / Nashville SC)
• Longest Winless Streak: 11 Games (Inter Miami / New York City FC / Toronto FC)
• Total Attendance: 10,900,804
• Highest Attendance: 82,110 (LA Galaxy vs. Los Angeles FC)
• MLS Cup Winners: Columbus Crew
• Supporters Shield Winners: FC Cincinnati
• Season MVP: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)
• Coach of the Year: Pat Noonan (FC Cincinnati)

MLS is a pretty spectacular league, improving year on year and generally putting on a great show. In any case, it's part of the American way of life.

It's clearly the land of excess and show, and soccer is now part of that too. More than half of all matches end with a goal from either side, and there are at least 3 goals scored in more than one match out of two.

Offensively, it's typically the home teams that perform best, with an average of 1.69 goals scored by the home team. Now you know the most important statistics for your MLS predictions!

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Conclusion: Getting your MLS picks correct

The key to successfully betting on the MLS is building up your knowledge of the league and understanding the markets that you’re investing your money in.

Watch and research as many games as possible as, in addition to statistical research, understanding how teams play and whether results reflect recent performances is vital to making strong picks.

The information on this page will provide you with a solid base to build your betting strategy but you should continue to improve it by watching games, doing as much research as you can, following successful tipsters, keeping a track on your betting record and managing your bankroll efficiently

If you can follow these rules, there is no reason that you can’t become profitable betting on the MLS. Good luck!

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Major League Soccer : Best Odds

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